The Next in Fashion Season 1 recap summarises the competitive reality show on Netflix that brings together 18 established fashion designers in order to make them household names by the end of the season. The legendary stylists and fashion designers Tan France and Alexa Chung host it. The duo invited contestants in nine pairs like Angel & Minju, Charles & Angelo, Isaac & Nasheli, Narresh & Lorena, Carli & Daniel, Julian & Hayley, Farai & Kiki, Marco & Ashton and finally, Claire and Adolfo.
The show is executive produced by Robin Ashbrook and Yasmin Shackleton. It contains 10 episodes, each ranging from 45-55 minutes. Two contestants are eliminated each week until the last episode when the two finalists compete to be crowned the next in fashion. In the last season, the winner received $250,000 and an opportunity to debut their collection on Net-a-Porter.
Next in Fashion Season 1 Recap
Starting off strong with a red carpet look, the first episode shows the eighteen contestants competing in teams selecting fabrics and working on their initial designs. Designers are given two days in the show, with the second day being the runway show. Tan France and Alexa Chung give the contestants the theme of the looks on the spot. They have to rummage through fabrics, and cut and sew their looks in the stipulated time.
For the first episode, many contestants showed their design acumen when designing red-carpet looks. Celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewert and designer Monique Lhullier helped the hosts judge the looks for this fashion rite-of-passage. However, the team that came out on top was Angelo and Charles, who made this black dress with an opening in the middle and a train that revealed itself when the model pulled from the middle of the look on the end of the runway.
This surprise gave them an edge and put them on top. Since Isaac and Nasheli’s model could barely walk in her dress and made the look haphazard; the judges disqualified them. In the second episode, contestants had to use prints and patterns to create a look. They are free to use any look and silhouette, but the extravagance has to be high. The contestants were allowed to print their patterns and some pre-provided fabrics. They had to style two models, one male and one female.
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Angel and Minju used this pair’s availability to make a wedding-themed outfit for the two models. This kind of preparation and thought behind the outfits put them in the upper echelon in the eyes of guest judge Prabal Gurung and the recurring judge Eva Chen. However, Narresh and Lorena, the duo that had put together an interesting look last episode, went safe and used the patterned fabrics instead of making their own. This made their designs lay flat without any interesting elements, hence disqualified in this round.
Each contestant has their own strengths regarding the designs, and the third episode showcased that when the theme was suits. They had to design a single model this time, giving them the choice of gender. Carli and Daniel’s strengths lay with this kind of outfit and were evident when they won the round, giving guest judges Phillip Lin and Jason Bolden no doubt. However, the tensions between Julian and Hayley pushed them towards disqualification and an attempt to grow in their direction.
In the fourth episode, Tan France and Alexa Chung entered the Gen Z conversation by having contestants make streetwear clothing. It was at this time when tensions among the long-together pair Farai and Kiki came to a peak. Additionally, the impossible choice between disqualifying Adolfo & Claire or Farai & Kiki made the judges take another day to decide for elimination. However, Angel and Minju very clearly made their mark on the guest judges Kerby Jean-Raymond and Jason Bolden.
After coming to the decision that no one would be leaving this round, the hosts then shared that the next theme for the round would be underwear. At this point, Ashton and Marco start celebrating because this is exactly in their ballpark. It becomes evident when model Adriana Lim and recurring judge Elizabeth Stewart crown them winners of the round. This time Farai and Kiki have to make their way out of the show, eliminated for their bad bralette design and unsupported cups.
Making things even more difficult for Angel and Minju, the judges put together a rock challenge for the contestants. They were almost about to be eliminated, but the design Adolfo and Claire offered in their male and female models made the judge, Christopher Kane reconsider. Carli and Daniel once again rise from the underdog position, scrambling to design something outside their comfort zone and win the round.
Doing jumping jacks and some stretching, the hosts introduce the next theme in the sixth episode, Activewear. However, there is a catch. This time they have to work solo in order to create a singular look, with judges Josephine Aberg and Elizabeth Stewart invited to critique them. Daniel creates this interesting and solid striped rowing outfit, including a scarf that wins over the judges. Conversely, Angelo’s bad stitching and fitting and Carli’s lack of expertise in the theme had them disqualified this round.
The tension is building up, and now down to six people. The next theme is military-inspired outfits. Many contestants are afraid, while others are excited to play around with the constraints of this format. They had to design a single look for any model with guest judges Maxwell Osborne, Dao-Yi Chow and Elizabeth Stewart. Angel makes a mark with them by creating her fabric and making an interesting shape. Meanwhile, Marco’s costume-y look and Charles’ simplistic and commercial look pulled them out of the race to $250,000.
In the semifinal round, the four contestants were asked to create a denim look with something fresh in mind. Designer and businessman Tommy Hilfiger was invited to judge this round. They were asked to design two looks, this time with one male and one female model. By creating an interesting social statement with denim and giving an interesting look to the judges, Daniel and Minju make their way to the finals. Meanwhile, Angel and Ashton get disqualified for using trends already available in the commercial landscape.
Finalists Minju and Daniel have to create a ten-look collection. Daniel took inspiration from the 20s society Bright Young Things and created outfits that convey sophistication and class through the design. Minju, on the other hand, took inspiration from the works of Frida Kahlo to create a collection with joyousness and vibrance. Both the contestants’ showstopping looks were dazzling and true to their personalities. However, Minju’s looks appealed to the judges, Eva Chen and Elizabeth von der Goltz, hence they were declared the ‘next in fashion’.
Next in Fashion Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix. The second season will come to the streaming platform on March 3, 2023. What kind of looks are you most excited to see next season? Let us know in the comments below.
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